Warning over 'extremely potent' drug being sold on streets as cocaine

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Health authorities are warning a white powder being sold in Melbourne as cocaine contains a potentially deadly opioid that is more than 100 times more potent than heroin.

Victoria's Department of Health has issued a drug alert for cocaine contaminated with protonitazene, which is an extremely potent novel synthetic opioid, which can increase the risk of life-threatening overdose.

"There have been recent serious harms in Melbourne associated with a white powder sold as cocaine that contained protonitazene," the department said in a statement.

There have been recent serious harms in Melbourne associated with a white powder sold as cocaine.

"The product appears to produce strong adverse effects such as loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, and life-threatening hypoxia (insufficient oxygen for normal functioning).

"Cocaine and protonitazene are very different substances. Cocaine produces stimulant effects, whereas protonitazene produces sedative effects and may lead to opioid overdose.

"Using protonitazene with depressants such as alcohol, GHB or depressant drugs (such as Xanax or Valium) increases the risk of overdose."

Signs of opioid overdose include breathing slowly and reduced consciousness along with tiny pupils in some cases.

"Naloxone is an easy-to-use medication that can reverse opioid overdose – it is safe to use even if you are not sure whether someone has taken opioids," the health department said.

"Naloxone can be accessed free of charge at participating pharmacies, needle and syringe programs and the medically supervised injecting centre."

For support call the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015.

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